Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

[RockinJohnson]

Ok so first off. I am a blues/classic rock player playing 4 hour shows on the weekends(bb king, zz top, gnr, Clapton, Bonamassa, and some funk / James brown type stuff) . My favorite guitar is an Epiphone Bonamassa LP w/ bigsby and burstbucker 2+3 pups played through a fender super sonic 22. But the thing is HEAVY! I have some back issues an By the end of the night I am dyin and still have to load the gear! So to help this I scored a great deal on a PRS ZM semi hollow lp style guitar. The guitar is phenomenal for a Korean made guitar but I noticed a few things that need attention right off of the bat.

First I don't like the cheap feeling tuners. So locking gotoh vintage tuners are on the way! Next I want to upgrade to a graph tech nut. And lastly the pups were for me livable but no coil tap. I am planning on this being my main stage guitar so coil tap is a must since I don't make the set lists and guitar swaps are a pain on a small stage. I opened it up and of course it has 2 con wiring! So now it is down the rabbit hole I go lol!

Off and on for 4 days now I have been researching pickups. SD, Fralin, Dimarzio, Bare Knuckle, Suhr, Rio Grande. Now all I have is a headache lol! So I made a list and started with seymours as I always do. After checking the market for used (too expensive to "try out" new ones) I came up with covered SD 59/Custom Hybrid with an Aph-1 neck and ordered them today.

Now I have fear of g.a.s. buyers remorse and thought I would ask the very knowledgeable crew here what you think about that set in that guitar?? Also would these pups benefit from a partial split resistor like PRS uses?

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

The 59/C would benefit from an A2. If you keep the stock A5 in there, you'll have an issue with the bridge being too bright and thin whenever you EQ your rig for the dark neck pickup, and when you EQ for the bridge your neck will be muddy and boomy. The A2 will help to bring them closer together. An alternative would be an A4 in both the neck and bridge. I tried that combo with a Jazz (some argue this pickup has the same wind as the Alnico II Pro) and 59/C combo, but that was in an SG which is a whole different animal.

A 2k2 resistor on the neck and a 3k3 on the bridge will most likely sound best, that's what I did with a similar set in my Strat.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

there is no argument on the jazz/aph, it is the same wind. id pop em in and see what ya think before swapping magnets. i think the pups will suit you fine but as mentioned, the bridge may be a little bright compared to the neck but mag swaps can fix that. you may like the difference since it will give you a broader sonic palette to work with, especially if you use your tone controls or you may find there is too much difference and want to swap magnets. wont know till ya try it

 

[RockinJohnson]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

The 59/C would benefit from an A2. If you keep the stock A5 in there, you'll have an issue with the bridge being too bright and thin whenever you EQ your rig for the dark neck pickup, and when you EQ for the bridge your neck will be muddy and boomy. The A2 will help to bring them closer together. An alternative would be an A4 in both the neck and bridge. I tried that combo with a Jazz (some argue this pickup has the same wind as the Alnico II Pro) and 59/C combo, but that was in an SG which is a whole different animal.

A 2k2 resistor on the neck and a 3k3 on the bridge will most likely sound best, that's what I did with a similar set in my Strat.

Thanks for the great info on the mag swaps! I have a few that I can play around with.

 

[RockinJohnson]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

there is no argument on the jazz/aph, it is the same wind. id pop em in and see what ya think before swapping magnets. i think the pups will suit you fine but as mentioned, the bridge may be a little bright compared to the neck but mag swaps can fix that. you may like the difference since it will give you a broader sonic palette to work with, especially if you use your tone controls or you may find there is too much difference and want to swap magnets. wont know till ya try it

Absolutely gonna try em out good before I break into them.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

I have to say that an APH-1 with a Hybrid is one of my favorite combos, and I hate switching guitars in a set. I wire mine with either a split switch or a super 5 way which allows inner or outer coils in addition to the standard 3. I think you made a great choice!

 

[RockinJohnson]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

Ok after some experimentation I have a combo that is working great in this guitar!

The A2 pro in the neck is killer. Not dark or dull at all plenty of pick attack and some meaty mids! When split it was ok but thought i would try a partial split resistor. Tried 2.2k first and wound up going with a 1.5k. This seems to work good for me, definitely adds some single coil chime but doesn't fall completely on its face!

The 59/Custom Hybrid is a killer pup. It is bright but not nearly as bright as I was afraid it was going to be. It isnt thin at all it has nice meaty mids! For the heck of it I tried an A2 mag and an U.O. A5 roughcast. Both felt like the pup lost all of its mojo! Started with a 3.3k partial tap. It was ok but didn't have as much single coil sound as I wanted. I tried other values and wound up going straight to ground. It has a nice tele kind of tone.

Middle position full humbucker tone is great. Kind of (to me) Allman Brothers Melissa kind of tone which is perfect!

Middle position split is kind of lacking. It is kind of muffled sounding. But run bridge split and neck humbucking is a killer tone! Keeps the big fatness but adds some tasty chime and a lily twang. This may be my favorite tone that I am getti g out of this axe!!

Now, does this guitar replace my Les Paul and my G&L ASAT classic? No not at all but for use on stage I don't think rig can be beat! Great tones, less guitar change aggravation, and MUCH easier on my back!

Very happy picker here!

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

 

[RockinJohnson]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

Oh and the Gotoh locking tuners are an awesome upgrade! Have a nice quality made feel to them not cheap at all. They are Japanese made and they are metric so no headstock modifications at all. Drop in replacement!

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

 

[BlueSnMettle]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

Put those same tuners on my Les Paul.
Indeed, they are mighty fine tuners.
Glad you got your PRS up and running
to your satisfaction!

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

Great looking guitar and the results sound fantastic. The APH is an all time classic for a reason. One option for the future that I feel I should mention. There is a pickup winder that goes by the trade name Zhangulin. He was, or is still, a member here. His site is www.zhangbucker.com . Anyhow, he has a mod he can apply to any of his pickups called the "splat" option. It involves splitting the coil, but also adding back in part of the 2nd coil, like an additional tap, that gives the split sound more beef but still provided a single coil sound. He can set the tap at different levels, depending on your need.

I am as big a SD pickup fan as there is, but David winds some fantastic humbuckers with some innovative designs. Just something to keep in mind if your needs change in the future. It sounds like you have a great combo going now. Congrats.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

Wow! That is one excellent guitar! And some great pickup choices!

 

[palladinojt]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

Ok after some experimentation I have a combo that is working great in this guitar!

The A2 pro in the neck is killer. Not dark or dull at all plenty of pick attack and some meaty mids! When split it was ok but thought i would try a partial split resistor. Tried 2.2k first and wound up going with a 1.5k. This seems to work good for me, definitely adds some single coil chime but doesn't fall completely on its face!

The 59/Custom Hybrid is a killer pup. It is bright but not nearly as bright as I was afraid it was going to be. It isnt thin at all it has nice meaty mids! For the heck of it I tried an A2 mag and an U.O. A5 roughcast. Both felt like the pup lost all of its mojo! Started with a 3.3k partial tap. It was ok but didn't have as much single coil sound as I wanted. I tried other values and wound up going straight to ground. It has a nice tele kind of tone.

Middle position full humbucker tone is great. Kind of (to me) Allman Brothers Melissa kind of tone which is perfect!

Middle position split is kind of lacking. It is kind of muffled sounding. But run bridge split and neck humbucking is a killer tone! Keeps the big fatness but adds some tasty chime and a lily twang. This may be my favorite tone that I am getti g out of this axe!!

Now, does this guitar replace my Les Paul and my G&L ASAT classic? No not at all but for use on stage I don't think rig can be beat! Great tones, less guitar change aggravation, and MUCH easier on my back!

Very happy picker here!

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

I have a 2017 Zach Myers SE that I upgraded to a '59/Custom Hybrid in the bridge and a Phat Cat in the neck and love both. However when I did the install (over a year ago now) I decided to leave the pot replacement to "later", and now it's finally later. I was wondering if you could tell me (a) which specific push/pull pot you used (want to make sure it's the right shaft size, as well as a match in terms of rotation direction, etc) and (b) if you have links to a good wiring diagram you could share. Thanks!

 

[Mikenewport]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

I have the same guitar with a jazz neck and a P-rail in the bridge. on-on-on switches give great options series parallel and slug coil on the jazz, P-rail on the bridge.

I would suggest Tonepros locking nuts for the bridge and if you have trouble with the saddles moving slightly forward try some fender style bridge springs. Place them to prevent movement forward not at the rear.

Great guitar glad you're enjoying it.

Mike

 

[RockinJohnson]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

I have a 2017 Zach Myers SE that I upgraded to a '59/Custom Hybrid in the bridge and a Phat Cat in the neck and love both. However when I did the install (over a year ago now) I decided to leave the pot replacement to "later", and now it's finally later. I was wondering if you could tell me (a) which specific push/pull pot you used (want to make sure it's the right shaft size, as well as a match in terms of rotation direction, etc) and (b) if you have links to a good wiring diagram you could share. Thanks!

I used CTS 500k volume pots which the holes had to be enlarged slightly for the US/standard shaft size on the cts pots. I suggest a step bit or a reaming tool for this. For the tones I used alpha push/pull 500k with Mojotone Vitamin T .022 caps. These are overseas made/metric pots so the holes were the correct size for the shafts. As far as the diagram I just used the one that came with the 59/Custom. I also removed the switch and installed a switchcraft with nice braided wire.


Another upgrade I have done to this guitar since my last post is replace the bridge with the Mannmade 2300 bridge. For me this was just as much of an upgrade as the pickups and controls. Much more sustain and just a lil something different and (better for me) about the tone. It is made specifically for the SE models so no modification is required. I do suggest getting the nickel plated studs as the brass do not look good for very long.
Here is a link https://store.guitarvaultusa.com/MannMade_USA_Intonatable_Stoptail_Bridge_Assembly_p/2300.htm

This guitar is now a phenomenal sounding and playing beast! Everyone that plays it cant believe that it is not a $4,000 american made PRS.

 

[donaldr]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

I played a PRS SE Zack Myers and really like it. Put her back on the wall stand and saying to myself that will come back and get it next week. Came back and she was gone...
The pictures don't do it justice however (looking more grey than green), it's really a beautiful guitar.

 

[RockinJohnson]

Re: Upgrade PRS SE Zach Myers

I played a PRS SE Zack Myers and really like it. Put her back on the wall stand and saying to myself that will come back and get it next week. Came back and she was gone...
The pictures don't do it justice however (looking more grey than green), it's really a beautiful guitar.

No the pictures really dont do them justice. I was on the fence about the Green/grey color and was really looking for the sunburst but I found a deal on this one and went for it. After getting it I really dig the color and it is nice to have a color that is kind of unique.